Steel Signing/Bolt Tightening Ceremony

Community Inclusive Trust (C.I.T. Academies) announced in April it would be opening a brand new mainstream primary school in Grantham in September 2018. Building work on Poplar Farm School began during the summer months and is now well underway and on schedule for completion next summer.

The latest phase was commemorated last week with the signing of the steels and tightening of the bolts that will form the structure of the school. The steel was signed by Peter Bell, CEO of C.I.T; Paul Boucher, Chair of The Trust Board; Jenny Wheeldon, Principal Designate of Poplar Farm Primary School and Tim Russell, Project Manager for Wates Construction, the contractor building the school.

Peter Bell, CEO of C.I.T, said: “C.I.T. is delighted with the progress of the build. It’s exciting to see a state of the art educational facility being built in Grantham through the close partnership of C.I.T. and the Local Authority.

“Poplar Farm School will meet the need for the area’s growing population as generated by the Newton’s Place housing development. We look forward to welcoming our first cohort of Reception children through the doors in September 2018.

“Staff from C.I.T., the LA and Wates Construction have worked together over the past two years to reach the point where a physical building is now taking shape. The signing of the steel is an acknowledgment of everyone’s hard work. We look forward to seeing this amazing facility develop over the coming months.”

Councillor Mrs Patricia Bradwell, Executive Councillor for Children's Services, Lincolnshire County Council, said: "This is an exciting new development which will give more choice for children and parents as well as providing additional school places for families moving into the new housing development. We have supported this scheme with significant funding and look forward to seeing a top-class facility for the whole community to benefit from."

John Carlin, Business Unit Director for Wates Construction Midlands, commented: “This event was a fantastic opportunity for the key stakeholders on this significant project to celebrate the progress we’ve made to date. There are numerous aspects of this development that make it fascinating to work on – from its location on a steep hill to the use of cutting edge technology to enhance environmental features. We look forward to continuing our partnership with C.I.T. and the Local Authority to produce a truly modern primary school that will provide the best possible learning environment for the children of Grantham.

“As the project continues, we remain committed to using a local supply chain and providing training opportunities for members of the local community, ensuring our presence in Grantham results not only in a state-of-the-art new school, but also a skills and employment boost for the wider community.”

The new 420 capacity school will cater for 4 – 11 year olds and is being built with modern learning in mind. There will be break out rooms built alongside the classrooms for individual quiet learning, along with a large indoor sport hall. The school has been designed to introduce as much natural light as possible and will come complete with outstanding outdoor facilities including playing fields, multi-use sport courts, and modern outdoor play areas.

Poplar Farm School will be taking 2018 reception place applications from 13th November 2017, via the Local Authority Admissions process. Please visit:

Wates Construction has a long track record of providing more for less to its clients across both the public and private sectors. Working on projects across a variety of different areas, including education, commercial, heritage, local authority frameworks and mixed-use, Wates Construction specialises in maximising value by finding the most intelligent and creative ways to deliver outstanding buildings.

[Pictured above, top right:

Justin Ward, Project Manager for LCC

Cllr Jacky Smith, SKDC

Tim Russell, Project Manager for Wates Construction

Paul Boucher, Chair of C.I.T. Trust Board

Jenny Wheeldon, Principal of Poplar Farm School

Peter Bell, CEO of C.I.T. Academies]

CIT Head Office:

01476-515321

GANF Ambergate Site:

01476-564957

GANF Sandon Site:

01476-564994

Isaac Newton Primary School:

01476-568616

John Fielding Special School:

01205-363395

SSS Priory Site:

01775-724080

SSS Garth Site:

01775-725566

LEARN Teaching School Alliance:

01476-515322

Woodlands Academy:

01790-753902

Poplar Farm Primary School:

01476-515321

Caythorpe Primary School:

01400-272600

Chapel St Leonards Primary School:

01754 872429

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CIT Academies is an exempt charity and a company limited by guarantee registered in England with the name The Community Inclusive Trust. The company's registered number is 9071623 and registered office is: CIT Academies, Autumn Park, Dysart Road, Grantham, NG31 7EU. Tel: 01476 515321